AutoSleepers Australia

AutoSleepers has been quietly running campervan and motorhome hire out of Sydney since 1997 — a genuinely independent, family-owned operation with none of the corporate polish (or corporate prices) of the big thl brands. Five depots, a tight fleet of nine vehicles, and a personal service approach that larger operators have long since traded away for scale.

The website is modest. The depots are functional. The vehicles are well-maintained. If you've been burned by cookie-cutter service from the big players, AutoSleepers is worth a serious look.

The Fleet

Nine vehicles across four tiers — HiTop campervans, Endeavour, KEA-platform motorhomes, and full 6-berth luxury. Here's what to know about each.

The HiTop 2 Berth and HiTop 3 Berth are the budget entry points: manual transmission, petrol engine, 50L water tank, no shower or toilet. Clean and reliable campervans for couples and small groups who want internal kitchen and standing height without paying motorhome prices. The 3-berth adds a single in the high-top section — genuinely handy for a couple plus a teenager.

The Endeavour 4 Berth HiTop is the fleet's most popular model. Automatic transmission, 2.7L petrol, two double beds (1.85m × 1.50m lower, 1.95m × 1.30m upper hi-top), full standing height, and linen for four. Child seat anchor points built in. No shower or toilet — campsite-dependent — but the automatic gearbox and comfortable driving position make this a favourite for families who don't need self-contained facilities.

The KEA Navigator 4 Berth is a Toyota HiAce super-long on a wider body (1.93m) with a 1.98m interior height. More living space than any standard HiTop, two double beds including a fold-away, and automatic transmission. A meaningful upgrade in day-to-day comfort for those willing to pay for it.

The KEA Nomad 2+1 Berth is where the fleet turns properly self-contained. Mercedes Sprinter 2.4L turbo diesel, automatic, 90L fresh water, 110L fridge/freezer, full shower and toilet, pressurised hot and cold water, air conditioning. Built for a couple plus one child. The 2000 × 1780mm double bed is among the larger beds you'll find in a motorhome this size. ESP, ABS, and EBD all standard from Mercedes. Serious capability for couples who camp off-grid.

The KEA River 6 Berth is the top of the fleet — a 2017+ Mercedes diesel automatic with three proper double beds, 130L fridge/freezer, microwave, solar panels, TV, awning, front and rear air conditioning, and 100L fresh water. Genuinely sleeps six adults. The over-cab, middle, and rear beds are well-sized and don't require the gymnastics that some 6-berth layouts demand. At 7.1m it requires a confident driver in towns, but on the highway it earns every kilometre.

Depot Network

Five depots: Sydney (Caringbah, the main branch), Melbourne (Ringwood), Brisbane (Virginia QLD), Gold Coast (Mermaid Waters), and Cairns (Sheridan Street). All major east coast routes covered. No Perth, no Darwin, no Adelaide, no Hobart — if your itinerary requires those endpoints, AutoSleepers can't help.

Opening hours are limited compared to the big operators: Monday–Friday 9am–3pm, Saturday 9–11am, closed Sunday. Plan your pickup and drop-off accordingly — late arrivals are not accommodated.

What's Included

All vehicles include full cooking kit (crockery, cutlery, pots, pans, kettle), linen and bedding, and towels. The 2-berth and 3-berth HiTops include a kitchenette setup; motorhomes have proper kitchens. Dog-friendly hire is available on certain vehicles — confirm at booking. No additional GPS or camping equipment packages mentioned on the current website.

Insurance

Standard excess on campervans is $2,750; motorhomes are $3,300. Reduce to $1,250/$1,650 at $22/day, or take the ultimate package at $33/day which brings the bond to $330 and includes camping table, chairs, satellite navigation, and baby/booster seats. Windscreen, tyre, roof, and undercarriage damage are excluded at all tiers — standard Australian industry practice.

How AutoSleepers Compares

Against the thl brands (Hippie, Mighty, Britz, Maui): AutoSleepers offers more personal service, older but maintained vehicles, and no corporate fleet management experience. Against other independent operators like Awesome Campers and Indie Campervans: AutoSleepers has a broader fleet range and more established depot presence. The trade-off: shorter depot hours and no online booking integration with the comparison sites.

Who Should Book AutoSleepers

Book if: You want genuine family-run service on the east coast. You need a specific size or configuration (especially the Nomad 2+1 or KEA Navigator) not available at comparable price from larger operators. You're travelling the Sydney–Brisbane–Cairns corridor and want flexible size options from compact HiTop to 6-berth luxury.

Don't book if: You need depots in Perth, Adelaide, Darwin or Hobart. You need 7-day-a-week pickup availability. You want the cheapest possible option — the big budget brands will be cheaper for basic HiTop hire.

Final Verdict

AutoSleepers is a solid independent operator with genuine range — the KEA Nomad and KEA River are particularly strong offerings that compete well with corporate-branded equivalents. The personal service ethos is real, not marketing copy: this is a company that has been doing this since 1997 and still picks up the phone. The limited depot hours are the main operational friction. If you're planning ahead and booking for daytime pickup, that's a non-issue. If you need last-minute flexibility, it's worth factoring in.

For east coast routes with a group of 4–6, the KEA River or Mercedes Deluxe 6 Berth deserve comparison against the equivalent Maui or Britz offerings — AutoSleepers' pricing is frequently competitive, and the service is noticeably more personal.